No way the average 350Z sale is going for $26,700. The AVERAGE person looking for a Z is going to walk in the dealership and get MAYBE 1000 off list. Then the dealer adds the DOC FEE around $500, plus tax, and any other extorsion fee they can come up with.

I got my Enthusiast for right about at invoice, maybe $100 under. But I spent a week on the phone with Internet managers from 4 dealers. Then they wanted to hit me with the doc fee and I got them to split it. But the AVERAGE consumer that buys a Z isn't going to get deal like that. Educated consumers like you guys will, but it will still be the market demand in that area. Atlanta dealers are advertising 350Z base models for almost $28k.

I have my 05 Z listed now in Atlanta for $26,500. Its been online in ajccars.com for 2 days and I already have 2 people scheduled to look at it this weekend. A new car for $27k new easily turns into $30k after tax and dealer fees. I'm fortunate to live in a state that doesn't collect sales tax on private party vehicle sales and everyone knows they'll save money buying used. The first thing I do when I'm looking for a "new" car is to see if I can find one that is almost new to save some money. I bought the Z new because I didn't want to go through the '03 and '04 problems others have had.

 

South Carolina sales tax is capped at $300! That is the most you will pay. I found an 03 Track at Morris Nissan that sat long enough for them to sell it to me at under trade-in value (at the time) of $22,500. By the time I added on sales tax and tags, it was still under $23,000.

The only reason I can think it sat for so long is that new base models sell for $25k and no one wanted to buy a 3 year old model for $26k (what they were asking). Most people have no idea what the difference is, althogh when it comes time to sell, I am hoping that I will be able to get more for the track model.

Trade-in is now listed at $21,300 according to edmunds, and that is after three months and the release of the 06 model. If I wanted to sell now, I would hope to get at least private party value of $22,800. I purchased the ext 100k warranty in the hope that it being covered until 10/2009 will help get closer to dealer retail, or somewhere in between. And if they don't want to pay extra for a complete warranty, I can always get my prorated money back.

Obviously you don't buy a car hoping to get close to your investment back. You do have to look at net cost, however. If I sell the car in two years for $18,000, that means I have enjoyed this great car for $5000, or $208/month. That's something that I can live with.

 

That's not true....ANYONE in ATL can get an '05 enthusiast (not even base) for under $27k it's been advertised for months in the AJC.

 

When is the last time you've seen an add like that? I was just online and saw 2006 models advertised for the Base was $28k. There were some 2005 ads and the only Enthusiast that had a price was $31365. Most of the ads said Contact Us.

 

I'm talkin about the actual dealer ads with pictures that take up an entire page to themselves.

 

G35 may be one of the best but the Acura TL is better.

 

Purchasing a high performance used car can be as risky as marrying a prostitute. They are both expected to be driven hard.

 

They gave 26,940 (private party) for my 04 touring when I paid 35k out the door. Thats almost a 10 grand dropped and I only have 8k miles on mine and I bought it in August of 04. Thats insane . Not like I will get rid of her soon...

 

Almost $10k disparity due to paying closer to MSRP, rather than invoice...

 

You should not include taxes and other fees paid at purchase. These are expenses and have zero residual value.

 

Many of you are also missing a big point.

A dealer can give you whatever they want for you car. If they have room to play with numbers on the trade in. If they have $5,000 in money on the car you want to play with they can make you feel better by giving you more for your car and just discounting the new car less.

ALL cars except a few are depreciating property. There are exceptions, but in general a new car is not an inverstment and if looked that way you'll always be pissed off. Our cars did take a pretty good hit in value, but I think that's because the new car market slowed and the stupid "employee pricing" ruined the market and we'll be suffering from that for years.

 

i just bought a new leftover 04 touring in the end of september. before i bought it i looked up the trade in value of it, because to me this is the real value of the car. kbb stated my car to be worth almost 26000 for trade in value. i recently checked the value again due to possibly getting rid of it and kbb now says its worth 22000 only a month and a half later. that absolutely sucks. edmunds is still high though, and so is nada as always so if you wanna trade your z i would check all 3 and make a good arguement out of em.

 

 

 

i don't think 4 grand in 45 days is "supposed to" depreciation!!!

 

Value goes by year, and not day / month you bought it. When you bought you 04, only 05 were out. Thus, it's only going by 1 year old value. Now, you have 05 and 06 models. Making it 2 years old. That's problem with buying car at end of the year right before new model.


I always thought as soon as you take a car off the lot, you will loose a $2-3K's. Am I wrong for thinking this way?

 

I paid $24,900 for my Base 2 years ago. it had 9K miles on it.
It has 29K miles on it now and KBB is $20,815

If I bought it new I would have taken a much larger hit in the wallet. that's how it goes. the only things I can think of that do not lose a lot of value are special cars, 911, F55, DB9, or bikes IF in great cond. I've bought and sold two bikes after adding 5K miles for the same price I paid. That's what happens when you keep them perfect.

 

Correct. If you bought a new 2006 for $35,000, and drove it directly to my house, I would offer you $32,000.

 

Yeah, I noticed this too. I bought my 03 for $26 a year ago and now it's worth (trade in of course) about 17K or 18K. I should have waited another year to buy it I guess! Oh well, I look at it like at least I've paid through a year now and I only have 4 more left! Haha.